50 Fall Gratitude Activities+ Crafts for Kids, Families
It’s true that you don’t really need a special season to express gratitude but fall has a way of slowing us down.
Festivities like Thanksgiving, the chilly weather that forces us to spend more time indoors also year ending soon kind of gets us into the contemplative mood, so it is actually a good time to teach our kids about being grateful.
Gratitude is simple like noticing little things like a warm cup of cocoa, a kind word from a friend, or the sound of laughter.
Teaching kids and reminding ourselves to pause and appreciate those everyday moments can make fall season feel even more meaningful and make us truly be content and happy..
In this post I put together 50 fall gratitude activities for kids and families to spark thankfulness and connection this autumn.
Plus, you’ll also get some free printable Gratitude Worksheets, a ready-to-use resource your kids will love! Click the image below for the freebies or subscribe to get one!
50 Fall & Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities
| Click The Link Below to Get the Free Worksheets |
There are easy and hands-on activities perfect for the classroom or whenever you need some activity ideas during your family time. These ideas would also make for excellent Thanksgiving Tradition or fall crafts.
If you loved this free Gratitude Workbook, you might also enjoy my digital shop, where I share more printables and seasonal activities.
Letters of Gratitude
Writing a simple thank-you note helps kids practice expressing appreciation in words. It certainly strengthens relationships and also teaches them the joy of making someone else’s day brighter.
Have kids write or draw a thank-you note for someone special a teacher, a grandparent, a neighbor, or even a friend. Delivering the letter in person or mailing it adds a little extra joy for both the giver and the receiver.
Thank You in Every Language
Show your kids that appreciation is understood everywhere by exploring how different cultures express it. Try saying thank you in different languages like Mandarin, Portuguese or German.
This activity will also build cultural awareness, curiosity, and communication skills.
Decorate a Pumpkin
Grab a medium-sized pumpkin and a permanent marker. Each day, write one word or short phrase about something you’re thankful for directly on the pumpkin.
Keep it on the kitchen table or mantle as a centerpiece throughout fall. By the end of the season, it becomes a special keepsake full of gratitude memories, here are some more ideas for kid-friendly creative pumpkin decor.
Fall Nature Walk
Go for a fall-themed gratitude walk, as you stroll, have everyone point out things in nature they’re thankful for like, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the crisp autumn air, colorful trees, or the warmth of a scarf. This helps kids notice and appreciate everyday blessings in the world around them.
Have a Donation Day
Tell your kids to gather items they no longer use like clothes, toys, or books and donate them to a local charity.
Explain how giving to others is a way of showing gratitude for what they already have.
Fill Up a Gratitude Jar
Keep a jar in a common area of your home or classroom, along with slips of paper and pens. Each day, encourage kids and adults too! to jot down something they’re thankful for and drop it inside.
At the end of the month or on a special occasion like Thanksgiving you can read them together. This
If you liked this post, here are some similar articles you might enjoy:
Thankful Tablecloth
Use a plain kraft paper roll or fabric tablecloth during family dinners in November. Give everyone markers to write or draw what they’re thankful for right onto the tablecloth.
Reuse it throughout the season and watch it fill up with gratitude notes, doodles, and memories.
This simple tradition fosters an emotional connection, helping everyone feel seen, heard and valued at your home.
Drawing Prompts to Express Gratitude
Not every child loves writing, but drawing can be just as powerful a way to practice gratitude.
Give kids a simple list of drawing prompts like “draw someone you love,” or “draw an activity that makes you happy,” to express thankfulness in a personal, creative way.
Circle of Kindness
This could be a great classroom activity. Gather the kids in a circle and let kindness travel around.
One child starts by sharing a compliment or a kind word about someone else in the group. The circle continues until every child has been recognized.
This helps kids notice the good in others as well as receive compliments that builds their confidence.
Create a Thankful Garland
Use leaf printouts/cutouts and ask kids to write one thing they are grateful on as many leaves as they can. Once they complete string all the leaves together and display the colorful gratitude garland in your classroom, across a wall or even your fall mantle.
| The fall leaf cutouts and the tree outline are already included in the freebie! |
Personal Gratitude Tree
Have your kids create their very own gratitude tree! They can write down what they’re thankful for on paper leaves, color them in, and then cut and glue the leaves onto the branches of a tree outline.
It’s a fun way for kids to see their gratitude grow right before their eyes.
| This activity is also included in the free gratitude worksheet bundle! |
Kid Friendly Gratitude Prompts for Fall
Even though these prompts are made with kids in mind, older siblings, teens, and even parents will enjoy them too. Gratitude is something the whole family can practice together.
- Something that made you smile today.
- Your favorite fall smell (pumpkin pie, cinnamon, crunchy leaves)
- Who is someone you’re thankful for and why?
- What’s the best part of your week so far.
- Name 5 things in nature you are thankful for (trees, animals, sunshine, leaves, rain).
| Check the Freebie for the Gratitude Prompt sheet. |
Mindful Monday
Starting the week with gratitude helps kids practice noticing the little joys around them.
Encourage kids to take a few quiet minutes on Monday morning to reflect on something they’re thankful for.
Like a warm breakfast, their favorite toy, or a hug from a parent.
The Importance of “Please” and “Thank You”
Teach kids that kindness and gratitude go hand in hand, and even tiny words can make a big difference.
You can do a quick role-play where kids practice asking for something with and without saying “please” or “thank you,” then discuss how it feels.
Let Kids Talk about their Negative Experience
Give kids space to talk about a negative experience, something that upset them or a time they felt disappointed.
Gently guide them to see if they can also find something positive that came from it. This helps kids understand that gratitude can exist even during hard times.
Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Challenge your kids to find things they’re thankful for, like their favorite fall color, something that smells good, something that makes them smile.
| To make it even easier, I’ve included ready-to-use fall gratitude scavenger hunt clues inside the free printable sheets. |
Rock Painting
Collect a few smooth rocks and paint them with words or symbols of things you’re thankful for like a heart, a smiley face, or the word “family.”
You can keep these “gratitude rocks” in a jar or scatter them in the garden or even gift them.
Create A Fall Playlist
Make a cozy fall playlist filled with songs that make you feel happy, calm, or thankful.
You can include favorite family tunes, calming music, or even songs that remind you of special memories.
Use a Fall Gratitude Journal
Use a notebook to write or draw one thing you’re grateful for each day. It could be crunchy leaves, hot cocoa, or time with friends.
A journal will help you see how make thankfulness a daily habit.
Take a Family Gratitude Challenge
Set a goal like sharing one new thing you’re thankful for every day for a week.
At the end of the challenge, look back together and celebrate all the little blessings you discovered as a family.
Watch Some Feel Good Videos
Watch cheerful or inspiring videos as a family or class, like funny pet clips, a random act of kindness caught on camera, or short motivational stories.
Afterward, ask kids why it made them smile and what lessons they can take from it.
Gratitude Acrostics
An acrostic is a simple, creative way for kids to express gratitude through words. Choose a fall-themed word like FALL, PUMPKIN, or THANKFUL.
Ask your kids to write one thing they’re grateful for that begins with each letter. For example, “T = Teachers who help me learn.” It’s an easy activity that encourages reflection and creativity.
| You’ll also find a ready-to-use Gratitude Acrostics worksheet included in the freebie! |
Wednesday Wisdom with Some Good Books
Dedicate one day a week to reading something uplifting, books that carry strong positive messages.
Reading together sparks conversations and can also reshape our character in positive ways.
Create a Vision Board
Encourage kids to dream big by making a gratitude vision board. Have them cut out pictures, words, or symbols from magazines that things they are thankful for.
This sparks creativity and serves as a daily visual reminder of gratitude and goals.
Things To be Grateful for This Fall
While gratitude is wonderful to practice with kids, it’s just as important for us as adults to pause and notice the little things, too. Here are 30 everyday blessings to be thankful for:
- Family and friends who have your back.
- A fresh new day with endless possibilities.
- The simple gift of being alive and healthy.
- Life lessons that shaped who you are today.
- People who challenged you and those who cheered you on.
| Check out the gratitude list in the freebie. |
Watch some Value-Based Movies
Turn your family movie night into something meaningful by choosing films that highlight kindness, teamwork, or gratitude.
After the movie, ask questions like, “What did you learn from the characters?” or “How would you handle that situation?”
ABC’s With Gratitude
Challenge kids to name something they’re grateful for with each letter, like “Apple pies” for A, “Bedtime” for B, “Cousins” for C, and so on.
Wednesday Wisdom with Some Good Books
Dedicate one day a week to reading something uplifting, books that carry strong positive messages.
Reading together sparks conversations and can also reshape our character in positive ways.
Fall Family Gratitude Conversation Starters
I have also included some gratitude conversation starters to help you begin practice gratitude as a family. Here’s a gist.
- What is your idea of making a difference in someone’s life?
- What’s a family tradition you’re happy we do together?
- Your best qualities and where you can improve.
You can also use these prompts as a self-evaluation to check how you are doing emotionally, when you feel low use of these prompts to motivate yourself.
| The full list is included in the Gratitude Worksheet. |
Teach Kids the Power of Saying “Sorry”
Being thankful also means valuing relationships and that includes learning how to apologize.
Teach kids the importance of saying “sorry” sincerely when they’ve hurt someone, and discuss how it can heal and strengthen bonds.
Tackle some chores together as a Family
Doing simple tasks together helps kids appreciate each other’s efforts and teaches that sharing responsibilities is an act of gratitude too.
Wrapping Up gratitude Activities During Fall
I hope these prompts, activities, and printables help you and your family create special moments of thankfulness this season.
Feel free to carry these simple practices into winter, spring, and beyond, and you’ll find there’s always something to be thankful for.
Do get your free gratitude workbook and explore the shop and library for more resources.
Suktara
Hi! I’m Suktara, the creator of this website with a background in communication and passion for personal development, relationships, and mental health. I created this space to share honest insights and practical advice on dating, love, relationships, and self-improvement.
6 Comments
Kathleen Wonders
Reading this post made me feel so warm and grateful! It is really hard to be thankful when you’re in a tough situation. Practicing daily might help it come more naturally! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Suktara
I am glad it did thank you for your kind comment 🙂
Hannah Siller
I love that you actually include a list of prompts and things to be grateful for. I think there are a lot of things that are easy to forget especially in times like these.
Nancy Richardson
What an amazing article about gratitude. I also love journaling and believe daily gratitude journaling is such an easy way to shift our mindsets in a positive direction. I did not know that practicing gratitude had an actual physical health benefit! Thank you for such a wonderful article.
Laureen
This post. Wow. Thank you for brightening my Friday. I pinned and will also share with my FB friends. We need more of this, so much nasty on social media right now. Thank you. I am grateful for you.
Suktara
That’s amazing and thank you so much.